Bravely Default: For The Sequel Is Like A “Demo” For Bravely Default 2

Bravely Default: For the Sequel will be an enhanced version of the Bravely Default game, and is currently being developed at the same time as the actual sequel. What kind of improvements will we be seeing? Producer Tomoya Asano talks all about these and how the idea began, in a featured interview in this week’s Famitsu magazine.

Famitsu starts the interview out by asking Asano about the significance of the game’s subtitle, “For the Sequel”.

“First, I’d like to start out by saying that the development of For the Sequel is happening parallel to the actual sequel of Bravely Default.” says the producer. “The upcoming title [Bravely Default: For the Sequel]is a Bravely Default that is made in anticipation of the game’s sequel. So that would make For the Sequel a literal translation of its concept.”

Bravely Default: For the Sequel will have various new features that will be in the actual sequel of the game, such as an enhanced version of the battle system, which allows players to choose Brave to use turns in advance or stock them for the next turn. Famitsu asks about their reason for implementing the new system in the enhanced version of the original game.

“For Bravely Default, we released various demo versions and were able to revise the game according to the opinions and references of those who got to try it out,” says Asano. “It was thanks to this game of catch we had with our players that it was made possible. So, this time, prior to the actual sequel, in order to see everyone’s reaction, we’re implementing the new system ahead of time.”

He continues, “That said, the upcoming title could be implied as a demo version to the proper sequel, but I’d like to remind you that it is not an actual demo, where you can only play a part of the game. Rather, you’ll get to play the original version in full, but in a much easier-to-play form and also in a larger scale.”

To sum it up, instead of waiting until they have a demo of the sequel, the development team will be implementing certain features from the sequel in Bravely Default: For the Sequel, in order to stay in touch with players and their thoughts ahead of time.

However, the new system isn’t the only thing they’ll be adding. In addition to new features such as being able to change encounter rates and upgraded town graphics, they’ve made over 100 tweaks and improvements in line with what they believe will make the game more enjoyable, Asano says.

The above image shows the upgraded character interface of Bravely Default: For the Sequel in comparison to the original version. The top screen has a longer list so you won’t have to scroll as much, and the developers have added stats and new touch-screen compatible buttons to the left of the character on the bottom screen.

The battle screen has also been upgraded, as it now indicates the commands you’ve input for each character. Additionally, you can now scroll through a different screen that will show various stats such as conditions and buffs. Also, in addition to having English and other languages options such as French, Italian, German and Spanish; Bravely Default: For the Sequel also offers other data-related options. While transferring data from the original version, you can choose what you’d like to transfer, such as your character levels, jobs, money, items and more.

Furthermore, For the Sequel offers three save data slots unlike the original game, which was limited to just one.

Bravely Default: For the Sequel will be coming out on December 5 in Japan, while Europe will be getting the game later this year. North America will see it in 2014.

Not surprising considering it’s title, however I do like they changes they’re making to the original, and that this version is the one being localized

chibidw

And -hopefully- by the time the sequel does come out, it doesn’t require the hand of god(Nintendo) to come down and bring it to us again.

Maumac77

I don’t really mind if that were the case. The game could still do well, but SquareEnix for some reason or other could still not decide to bring over the sequel. Although if they were needed to localize the sequel, then I can see why that would be troublesome

http://jesse-dylan.livejournal.com Jesse_Dylan

Hopefully Nintendo markets this and it sells well, and we’ll have the sequel in a much better timeframe. Even Nintendo is getting gunshy. :( No one wants to publish Dragon Quest VII or Fantasy Life here. :( :( :(

chibidw

Well, rumor was Square wouldn’t let Nintendo localize both Bravely Default and Dragon Quest 7, not that Nintendo didn’t want to do both. Given how Square has been acting recently, it wouldn’t surprise me in the least.

LightZero

More like rumors made by a jaded fan. Never believe rumors unless there are actual facts. Any random idiot can start rumors and have others naive people believe it. Either way the game is coming there’s no point in being bitter.

chibidw

About Bravely Default? No, that wasn’t the topic of this part of the discussion. Doesn’t matter what the reason is either way – simple fact is what we’re not getting is Dragon Quest 7, plenty of reason to be bitter about that. Fantasy Life? Plenty more reason.

The further question is, will we have to be bitter about not getting Bravely Default 2 as well? We’ll find out in the coming year.

Matthew

Yeah, I haven’t played the original, so it’s cool that the first time I get to play it is what seems to be the best version.

raymk

Good,at least one team at square seems to have things in order. Hopefully the sequel will release close to the american release.

surakian

This is an outsourced game. Silicon Studios made BDFF. Only people like Yoshida who did the art, director Asano, and a few others are from SE.

EmoryM

‘easier-to-play form’ – if they mean they’ve redesigned the UI, that’s fine I guess, but since they’re changing the combat system… is this a dumbed down version to drum up an expanded audience for the sequel?

As someone who hasn’t played the original, but has heard many great things, I’m not sure how to feel about getting a significantly altered version.

Mimi

i might just have to get a 3ds for this. I just wish they were not so expensive

Maumac77

2DS is $40 less than the standard 3DS if that’s any consolation, and there’s your BD money right there. Although it doesn’t have 3D….or stereo sound.

324234

Buy a used 3DS instead, for less.

Mimi

Thanks very much for all the suggestions, however the bigger problem will be convincing my mom that getting it will not make me ignore my school work LOL :-)

You seem to have left out the part where he talks about combat shifting away from turn-based for the sequel and the Sequel sequel.

>The system of braving and defaulting we introduced in the last game where you could take many actions in one turn was a departure from the concept of turns but this new system is about getting rid of the concept of turns. I am looking forward to seeing how players have fun with this system.

I really liked the concept behind Brave and Default in a turn-based system and was excited to play that. Hearing it’s getting changed for the localized release without seeing how it’ll differ makes me a bit wary.

Pockystix

Agreed, we are really losing our turn based RPG genre. . .

Lusankya

It’s still turn based… Just look it up on the official web site. There are screenshots and videos of the turn based battle system.

Matthew

Bear in mind that the reason why RPGs began as being turn-based on game consoles is because the power was lacking, and a real-time battle system was too demanding. So yeah, you’re seeing a lot of developers try different things now. I just hope we don’t totally lose turn-based ones, because there’s a great sense of nostalgia there, and it’s always a solid concept.

http://jesse-dylan.livejournal.com Jesse_Dylan

Someone was saying elsewhere that that was a mistranslation. But it sounds like you have confirmed that that is, in fact, the case, and it was not a mistranslation? :( If they’re really taking out the turn-based combat………..

http://jesse-dylan.livejournal.com Jesse_Dylan

Someone says below that that was a translation goof by Kotaku! I am still scared.

Suicunesol

I think he just means the Brave and Default system will blur the lines of “turns” a bit more than it already has, like how attacking multiple times in one turn is like not having turns at all. It’s not like it’s becoming an action game. >_>

You make it sound like they’re gutting the combat system. But the combat system is BD’s soul; they’re not getting rid of it.

It’s a plot to kill our wallets ( ;A;) One I will happily go along with.

Ric Vazquez

I know that feel bro

하세요

I can’t even make it out of 2013.

http://jesse-dylan.livejournal.com Jesse_Dylan

Okay, so the combat is still turn-based, right? Because Kotaku translated something from this interview as saying it wasn’t. (If that were the case, I might actually cry.)

Neophoton

It’s still turn-based. Kotaku just made a goof on that.

http://jesse-dylan.livejournal.com Jesse_Dylan

Thank goodness. I probably won’t believe it until I see it now. I’ve been traumatized.

Thatguy

Never believe kotaku. It’s for your health.

Ashelia Poundland Dalmasca

there’s your problem

$36487238

Wowzie. Re-buying myself into the 3DS world is looking good than ever. ;-) Looking forward to this.

komiko12

Basically, they confirmed that there would be sequel coming out. :D

I think these “100″ tweaks would be minor adjustments that would be easily overlooked but nevertheless are welcome.

Ban The Jackass

Quick quick quick! Gimme NA release date for For The Sequel and… the date of the sequel!

Ashelia Poundland Dalmasca

i cannot wait for this game. this added with pokemon x/y will make my 3DS very merry this christmas

TheRealMalek

If the game is slatted for 5 december in japan i have “huge” doubt that it will release later this year in europe…

Klarktastic

Why? The japanese version has english language, I see no reason for it to take a long time to be released in europe.

TheRealMalek

Because it often takes time to have all “mandatory requirements” (health screen, error message) for europe anbd sometimes an unknow bug appear in those version (see devil survivor overclocked)

Klarktastic

Yes, but the japanese version even includes other european languages like german french etc, I would think they did that so it would be faster to bring it abroad. Pretty sure we get the exact same version but with a different region code, and published by nintendo lol

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